CSR

Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

50

Complaints

4

Crashes

4

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 have filed 50 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2016 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the fuel and propulsion system, named in 9 of them (18%). The typical failure was reported at 59,831 miles, the median across the 25 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 9 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (9)

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

22V955000 · December 23, 2022

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
The risk
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 348,183 vehicles across all model years covered

COMMUNICATION

19V787000 · November 1, 2019

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
The risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

SUSPENSION:FRONT

18V272000 · April 27, 2018

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
The risk
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 9,725 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V655000 · October 17, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG and GLE63S AMG Coupe, and 2017 GLS450 4Matic, GLE550 4Matic, and GLE63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. These vehicles may have excess bulkhead insulation extending into the lower windshield area, possibly affecting the windshield bonding and the full protective function of the passenger's frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
The risk
If the passenger's frontal air bag does not function as designed in the event of a crash, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove any excess bulkhead insulation and rework the windshield bonding, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner letters will be mailed in December 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available in late January 2018. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018020002. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 3,620 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

17V241000 · April 11, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.
The risk
If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 58,323 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM

17V081000 · February 8, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic Bluetec, GL450 4Matic, and GLE450 Coupe 4Matic vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that connects the upper control arm and the axle stub may not have been properly tightened.
The risk
The loose bolt may cause improper wheel tracking, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the bolt connecting the upper control arm and the axle stub on the affected vehicles, replacing the upper control arm if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 37 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

17V079000 · February 8, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE350 4Matic and GLS 450 4Matic vehicles. The windshield bonding may be insufficient and, as a result, the windshield may separate from the vehicle in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
The risk
If the windshield detaches in the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may not be supported properly after it deploys, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 4 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

16V903000 · December 15, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic Bluetec, GL550 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe, GLE450 4Matic, 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, and 2017 GLS63 AMG vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, to May 10, 2016. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.
The risk
If the front passenger air bag does not deploy as necessary in the event of a crash, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 47,799 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

16V759000 · October 20, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GLE 300d 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 350 4MATIC, and GLE 400 4MATIC vehicles manufactured October 14, 2015, to November 23, 2015. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
The risk
If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 2,215 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 50.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 18%
STEERING 9 18%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9 18%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 6 12%
AIR BAGS 4 8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 8%
ENGINE 4 8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4 8%
POWER TRAIN 4 8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 3 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 8.

2016 2023 2026
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 70,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while stationary a second vehicle crashed head-on into the front of the vehicle causing severe damage to the front end. During the crash, neither the front driver-side nor passenger-side airbags were deployed. The driver sustained a fractured right foot and neck injury and the front passenger who was the driver's son sustained a neck injury. Medical attention was required for the driver. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not towed and no police report was taken. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA complaint 11436621. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · towed · 10,000 miles

DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT. WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED, AND THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK', WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED FORWARD TWO TIMES, AT AN EXTREME SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TRANSMISSION DISPLAY (P, R, N, D) WAS FLASHING AND VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND CHILD.

NHTSA complaint 10925662. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

We were driving in the street and just suddenly the front of the car was on fire. We stopped the car and we had almost no time to get out because the flames got very big in just minutes. Good thing the doors weren't locked because we safely got out of the car. This incident happened in rush hour and there were lots of cars around us. This put not just the passengers in our car but other people around us in danger. We contacted Mercedes-Benz but they declined out claim and refused to investigate into this issue. Please help us hold Mercedes-Benz accountable.

NHTSA complaint 11521871. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

fire

car has caught on fire due to (as diagnosed by certified MB mechanic) leaking from fuel injector(s). Issue is known to many MB mechanics. Issue DOES have a recall for other (non GLE350) models in this same year (2016). Request recall issued! Request assistance with having MB warranty/repair problem

NHTSA complaint 11642591. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
At 72,000 miles the rear differential failed. Repair required else car could abruptly stop rolling, become uncontrollable and cause a serious wreck. The part is over $5,000

NHTSA complaint 11755781. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

133,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while opening the door, a cracked fuel injector was spraying gasoline. When the door handle was pulled, an aftermarket module ignited the fuel, causing an explosion and heavy smoke from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer previously for the same issue, but the dealer dismissed the information and returned the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, the failure reoccurred and was recorded. The vehicle had been at the dealer for two months, and the dealer blamed the failure on an aftermarket part, even though the dealer had installed the parts. The vehicle was driven to the dealer,

NHTSA complaint 11730479, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

While waiting for traffic signal to change with foot on break pedal, the suv accelerated suddenly and lurched forward and rear ended the car ahead of me! Luckily, it was a Hummer with a tire mounted on the rear door and damage occurred only to my MB. Front end has severe damage, hood buckled and headlight broken! It was a spooky experience! 'chk breakpad wear' warning light has been coming on lately when starting and I was planning to get breaks chkd. But this was a frightening experience! Is there an issue with MB ECU like this? I'm in the process of filing insurance claim.

NHTSA complaint 11678620. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

70,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was coming from the steering box. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA complaint 11651672. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

fire

This has previously been reported, but NHTSA email indicated I needed to file formal complaint. Fuel injector(s) leaked while vehicle parked overnight in driveway. ECU detected fuel and subsequent ignition/spark caused "explosion' blowing out engine intake manifold (appx 50-75 pieces found). All 6 injectors and intake manifold required replacement. Mercedes Benz does have recall notification for failed/leaking fuel injectors, which includes both my model, and model year- but has claimed my VIN is not covered. MB recall campaign # 2022030003, dated 04/22/2022. I have retained engine intake manifold (main piece) for inspection. Fuel injectors were returned to MB. Safety risk is relatively

NHTSA complaint 11644620, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

fire

Vehicle sitting in driveway. Fuel injector leakage and resultant engine control unit detecting fuel set off spark which resulted in explosion under hood. Completely destroyed engine intake manifold (over 100 pieces found), and requires all (6) new fuel injectors. Due to core return value, I will NOT be keeping injectors, but they have been inspected by certified mechanic where repairs are being done. Safety/risk is obvious- fire danger, explosion danger, etc. Vehicle was towed to German Motors, Lakewood CO. for repair. No warning indicators, no lights. Mechanics did inform me that this issue has been seen on other vehicles. Network of MB mechanics have been aware. MB USA is also aware of

NHTSA complaint 11643433, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 15 3
2022 34 7
2021 48 14
2020 89 27
2018 40 7 1
2017 61 7

Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz models

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst